Keokuk Junction Railway: Serving Illinois Since 1980

Published: January 11, 2025

By: Adam Burns

The Keokuk Junction Railway (KJRY) is a short-line railroad operating in the Midwest United States, primarily within the states of Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri.

Its operations are a vital component of the regional transportation infrastructure, handling freight shipments and connecting various communities with larger national rail networks.

The railroad initially began operations in 1980, utilizing a short segment of the former Rock Island in Illinois. Since then the short line has grown exponentially and now operates more than 120 miles across west-central Illinois.

Between 1980-1996 the railroad was privately owned until it was acquired by Pioneer Railcorp.  It remained a subsidiary of this short line conglomerate until 2019 when Pioneer was purchased by Patriot Rail.

Here, I'll provide you an overview of the railway's history, operations, geographical footprint, and role in the local economy.

Keokuk Junction's famous FP9As #1752 and #1750, lettered as the "Peoria & Western," are traveling through Mapleton, Illinois and headed to Peoria with interchange traffic on August 23, 2008. This particular segment is ex-TP&W trackage. Doug Kroll photo.

History

Incorporated in 1980, the current company was originally known as the Keokuk Northern Real Estate Co., established in May of that year. Its initial purpose was to acquire 4.5 miles of the recently liquidated Rock Island's yard tracks in Keokuk, Iowa. By September 1981, KJRY had secured the trackage and began operations swiftly.

Fast forward to December 1986, the railway expanded by purchasing a 28-mile track stretch from Keokuk to La Harpe, Illinois, which previously belonged to the Toledo, Peoria and Western and was last owned by Santa Fe Railway. KJRY started servicing a Roquette America-owned corn-processing plant in Keokuk, turning it into a major income stream.

In March, 1996, the Peoria, IL-based Pioneer Railcorp acquired KJRY. Pioneer Railcorp's acquisition injected new resources and stability into the railroad's operations, ensuring the continued employment of local workforces and the preservation of vital transportation links for regional businesses. Pioneer Railcorp later became part of the Patriot Rail Company, which maintains ownership of the KJRY, putting it under the umbrella of a broader network of short-line railroads.

Most of the short line's growth occurred during the 2000s. In February 2005, they bought the Toledo, Peoria and Western's 76-mile western portion from La Harpe to Peoria, Illinois.

Then in December 2011, they added 12.1 miles from La Harpe to Lomax, Illinois, along with obtaining trackage rights between Lomax and Fort Madison, Iowa. Eventually, on July 31, 2019, Brookhaven Rail Partners took over Pioneer Railcorp, thus gaining ownership of KJRY.

Operations

The operational focus of the Keokuk Junction lies in its role as a freight carrier. Despite being a short-line railroad, KJRY plays a critical role in facilitating transport and logistics solutions across its service area.

Typical freight consists of agricultural products, commodities significant to rural Midwestern economies, such as corn and soybeans, as well as other goods like chemicals, steel, and plastics.

The railway operates several critical routes in Illinois and Iowa, providing essential connections between local industries and the national rail network. KJRY engages in interchange partnerships with major Class I railroads, including BNSF Railway and Union Pacific, extending its reach far beyond its immediate geographic confines.

Through these intermodal connections, goods transferred onto the KJRY can continue their journey to ports, manufacturing hubs, and consumer markets scattered across North America.

An interesting aspect of KJRY's operational model is that it exemplifies the efficiency essential to short-line railroads. By maintaining lower overhead costs and focusing on personalized customer service, the railway fosters strong relationships with its clients.

Short-line railroads often offer more flexible and responsive services compared to their larger counterparts, something that is evident in KJRY's customer relations and operational practices.

Diesel Roster

Keokuk Junction GP7m #252, rebuilt with a CAT engine by this date from previous owner Chicago & North Western, is seen here along with CF7 #488 in La Harpe, Illinois on September 9, 1993. Doug Kroll photo.

Geographical Footprint

Keokuk Junction Railway defines its geographical footprint across several pivotal routes. Its core line runs from Keokuk, Iowa, traverses Illinois cities such as the historic rail hub of Peoria, and extends to Hollis, Illinois. This footprint positions the KJRY as a major transport artery facilitating east-west flow across the state line at the Mississippi River.

Keokuk, as the name implies, serves as a central anchor of the railway's operations. This city, located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers, provides both a historical and logistical point of significance. The strategic location is advantageous, permitting access to other transport forms like river barges — a reminder of the region's multi-modal transport heritage, where river, road, and rail hubs often coalesce.

Overall, the Keokuk Junction remains an exemplar of short-line railroads' strategic importance in the American Midwest, providing robust services linking local communities to a wider economic fabric while navigating the challenges typical of contemporary rail industry landscapes.